COVID-19 Information

Critical Information Regarding the Coronavirus (COVID-19)

Total Tests Received: 3147 Negative: 3108 Active: 22 *Recovered: 16 Deaths: 1Data From 06/04/2020 at 3:00pm (DHS reports numbers from 9pm the previous day causing lower reported numbers on their site) *Cases are considered "Recovered" by the Manitowoc County Health Department once 30 days have passed since an individual tested positive and has not resulted in a death

-Community Spread has been indicated in Manitowoc County

COVID-19 is a virus that spreads when an infected person coughs, sneezes, or contaminates a surface which then infects another individual upon contact. This is how many respiratory illnesses like Influenza spread. The best protection from respiratory illnesses like these include: covering your cough, washing your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, staying home when you are sick, avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth, and finally clean surfaces at home and work often with a disinfectant.

The Manitowoc County Health Department is working with Federal, State, and Local partners to identify and test who may be infected. Our providers are actively testing those who meet specific criteria.

If you are concerned about symptoms and are wanting to discuss testing, call your primary care provider first. For general information or if you are currently experiencing symptoms, please use these hotlines before calling the health department and do not call 9-1-1 unless you are experiencing a life threatening situation.

Statewide there have been 20,571 positive COVID-19 cases as of 2:00 p.m. on June 6, 2020. For information on statewide activity, visit the DHS website.

645 fatalities in the state of Wisconsin have been confirmed due to COVID-19 as of 2 p.m. on June 6, 2020.

A new website has been created to host easy access to a variety of state departments and their new operations during the COVID-19 pandemic.

DHS and the Wisconsin State Lab of Hygiene are now prioritizing two tiers of cases for testing. They released a memo with updated guidelines for providers to prioritize hospitalized patients to be tested for COVID-19. m

We urge you to take steps as a community to reduce strain on our health care system and optimize resources to care for those most in need:

Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially before eating and after going to the bathroom, blowing your nose, coughing or sneezing.

Call your healthcare provider before going into a clinic if you are experiencing mild to moderate symptoms of COVID-19. This will allow them to provide guidance, prepare ahead if you need to be seen, and minimize risk to others.

If you are symptomatic, new guidance requires a 10 day isolation period from symptom on-set AND 3 days without symptoms or a fever to be released from isolation. If you have been in contact with an asymptomatic person, a 14 day quarantine period is mandatory. Household members of confirmed positive cases also have a mandatory 14 day quarantine period from the end of the last symptomatic individual's well date.

WI DHS released guidance on 5/7 that recommends the cancellation of all in-person graduation ceremonies for Spring and Summer 2020.

WI DHS released a searchable map for Community Testing sites on 5/6. These sites will change frequently and the map can be accessed by clicking on this link.

All passengers coming from any Cruise should self-quarantine at home for 14 days and monitor for symptoms. If an individual becomes symptomatic they should contact their provider for testing. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends all persons defer any travel on cruise ships, including river cruises, worldwide because of the increased risk of COVID-19 transmission onboard ships.

Testing Criteria

At this time the recommendation is that individuals with symptoms should be tested. Individuals who do not have symptoms, but have traveled to an area with community transmission or was in contact with a confirmed positive COVID-19 patient, should self-quarantine at home for 14 days and monitor for symptoms. If symptoms develop, contact your provider.

If you are concerned about symptoms and are wanting to discuss testing, call your primary care provider first. For general information or if you are currently experiencing symptoms, please use these hotlines before calling the health department and do not call 9-1-1 unless you are experiencing a life threatening situation.

April 15, 2020: Manitowoc County Health Officer, Mary Halada, issued Public Health Order #3 which closes all Manitowoc County campgrounds for the duration of the Public Health Emergency. This order goes into effect on May 1, 2020.

April 15, 2020: Twelve additional fatalities have been confirmed due to COVID-19.

April 15, 2020: Governor Evers signed 2019 Wisconsin Act 185, the COVID-19 Relief Bill, within hours of its passage by the WI Senate.

April 14, 2020: Seventeen additional fatalities have been confirmed due to COVID-19.

April 13, 2020: Ten additional fatalities have been confirmed due to COVID-19.

April 8, 2020: Seven additional fatalities have been confirmed due to COVID-19.

April 7, 2020: Fifteen additional fatalities have been confirmed due to COVID-19.

April 6, 2020: Nine additional fatalities have been confirmed due to COVID-19.

April 6, 2020: Governor Evers signed Executive Order #74, postponing the 4/7 election until 6/9 or a sooner date to be decided by the Wisconsin State Legislature. This was later overturned by the Wisconsin Supreme Court and the election remains as initially scheduled.

April 5, 2020: Twelve additional fatalities have been confirmed due to COVID-19.

April 4, 2020: Wisconsin was granted a Presidential Disaster Declaration for Public Assistance for the COVID-19 response.

April 4, 2020: Nineteen additional fatalities have been confirmed due to COVID-19.

April 3, 2020: Manitowoc County received notification of the first positive case of COVID-19 in the county.

April 3, 2020: Governor Evers issues Executive Order #19, which details the appropriate release of and use of COVID-19 information to protect the health and safety of law enforcement, first responders, and other public safety workers.

April 3, 2020: Six additional fatalities have been confirmed due to COVID-19.

April 2, 2020: Requirements for absentee voting have been eased due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

April 2, 2020: Seven additional fatalities have been confirmed due to COVID-19.

April 1, 2020: Eight additional fatalities have been confirmed due to COVID-19.